Sakitama

First off, you don't have to get through ALL the material.  All those electives in there, you only have to do 4 or 5 over the two ranks.  Only like 7 pins a year.  The new Den Leader book is very helpful in giving you ideas on activities to do with your boys during the Den Meetings.  We just finished Moviemaking, took 2 Den meetings and a Saturday Finish Filming and Cutting Floor party.  The boys presented their movie 3 minute movie about the Scout Law with little skits demonstrating each point at a pack meeting tonight.  Each boy did chose 2 pieces of the law to storyboard, got to direct their scenes, and use the camera.  One of our leaders is hobby videographer, but the book gave suggestions on how to even use a cell phone or series of still shots chained with powerpoint.  I see the new program being EASIER than the old and bringing more of the outing and outdoor opportunities back into scouting.   

Christineka - Looks like the Kindle edition may be available.  http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Handbook-Boy-Scouts-America-ebook/dp/B00XWF6CA2/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433108753&sr=1-10&keywords=cub+scout

Also, do you know much about other AT devices for low vision, like the RUBY http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/LowVision/Ruby  you may be able to work with his school or insurance to get one.

No, the new Den Leader books are not bound.  You will need to get 3 ring binders for them.

You can find Pack Meeting guides here:  http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide/PackMeetingPlans.aspx (for FREE!!!)

There is a Ceremonies book and a Cub Scout Leader book, but I'm not sure how helpful they would be for the CubMaster (I got the Ceremony book and it looks pretty good).

We have a lot of low income scouts in my pack, but we have recently gone to the t-shirt outlet in town and got them all t-shirts and had the pack number heat transferred on the back. We found a wolf picture on clearance there too and put that on the front. Our pack t-shirts costed a whopping $6 a shirt! Our boys were envious at Spring Cub Weekend of all the Packs that had t-shirts, they're excited they are going to Resident Camp with a Pack t-shirt (our boys worked hard selling peanuts and earned almost 100% of the money they needed for camp!)

Very good and helpful information. We left our pack last year because everything was run by a clique of 2 parents and heaven forbid anyone suggest anything else besides an extravagant party that does little to move advancements or even earn belt loops. The pack we moved to does a lot better in the Pack Leadership and Parents talking about what we want to do. Most activities are local freebies or cheap. The tone is "Do WE want to?" and not "We WILL" Downside to this pack, is the person that is listed on the Roster as COR is also listed as the Committee Chair. This person does NOTHING with the pack, yet holds on to the checkbook and financial records with a tight fist. She shows up at a committee meeting for Recharter, Council Fundraising Friends of Scouting event, and maybe crossover. She is late in getting recharter stuff in and doesn't verify that it is right (my family has been leading dens and such all year, but I just found out when I went to take money for the pack to Council for Resident Camp that I'm not listed as a leader though I teach Archery at District and Council events). She has people sitting in Committee positions, who should be listed as Scouter Reserve (folks who want to keep membership while away in college). She is COR, but does not involved in the Charter Organization. To remove her as a COR, we'll have to go to the Charter Organization directly. She's afraid to relinquish control of anything to the other leaders of the Pack.

We sell peanuts. 12 oz bag for 3 dollars or 2 bags for 5. We buy the nuts wholesale at about 1.30 a bag. Peanuts don't melt and they have about a 90 day shelf life so if we don't get them sold one weekend, we can do another booth in a week or two and not lose money on inventory going bad.

I wish they could have done something to better promote diversity. Perhaps a group of Cub Scouts of different races/abilities (perhaps one in a wheelchair) each with their own area of specialization. 1 could do the 'talking' about sports, a different one for nutrition, etc. Use recent baby name popularity charts by cultural heritage to choose the names. Akela was always to be the leader, so naming the kid Akela, wouldn't be appropriate. I do think using the animal cartoons is deemed a bit babyish by our bears and even some of our wolves.

As a mom, I support the pack to see my son and husband bond. If there is a great photo of the two of you at a Cub Scout activity or both in uniform or something, take it, have it blown up and set into a nice frame. Give it to mom with a note of thanks, reading that many of their greatest moments in Cub Scouting, could not have happened without her support.

well, what if you don't have 6 + knives so each boy can have one to carve something with (I don't even have a pocket knife of my own other than a tiny little keychain pocket knife - I do plan to get a knife this week though for myself)? What if the parent (even with the knowledge they control when the scout gets their whittling chit) won't buy a knife for the scout to practice with?

I see using various instruments as training aids, to protect the boys while letting them practice techniques they are learning while allowing us to correct mistakes with limited risks of cuts. No, I probably wouldn't have the boys actually carving anything with the oversized wooden knife, but I think it would be a great training aid. Let them demonstrate with plastic and soap, then hand them a real pocket knife and piece of wood to try it out for a few minutes. Perhaps let them talk about the difference.

Was researching for ideas for our next Bear Den meeting (working on Whittling Chip) and found this:

Planning to make one next week. Wonder if it will carve ivory soap?

I noticed that the first time I saw the show too. Don't think he drank his pee that episode, but skinned a dead seal to make a wetsuit to cover his vitals to go for a swim.

As said before, the criteria is to do their best. Also, if you can get the information from the parents, find out what methods work best at school for their child (visual learner vs spoken direction). Perhaps the assistance of a Den Chief to buddy with him may help as well. Also, find out what the parents expectations are from having their son in Scouting. They may just be looking for a way to get the boy involved in a social activity outside of school. One thing I'm doing (well starting) is a Den for scouts with more significant (intellectual) challenges. The boys still interact with the other dens at Pack meeting, before/after Den Meetings, and on activities/events; but I'm tailoring their Den meetings to their individual needs and their parent (or another adult) work 1 to 1 with the boy to help them do the tasks for that week.

Like anything else in scouting, we expect our scouts to overcome some pretty big hurdles to learn and grow. Well, it applies to the adults as well. It may be a stretch for some people, but maybe it's time to step up to the plate and work at it, just like we expect our scouts to do.

 

I have had ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, autism, mentally challenged, and a whole ton of clinically diagnosed behavior problem youth in my troops over the years. I'm not out looking for a cure for any of these boys, but they deserve the same consideration to work on the scouting experience as the "normal" (if you could ever call any of them normal) boys.

 

I had one mentally challenged scout (age 34) who simply liked to put on a uniform, get out of the institution and hang out with the boys. BSA said it was okay and he always had a home in my troop. BTW, it took him a long time, but the last time I visited with him he was a Life scout working on his Eagle.

 

Stosh

We are starting Den flags in our Pack. My mom has Tigers and she has sewed down the Tiger Rank patch on the flag. Next year, the flag will go to Wolves and a Wolf rank patch will be added until they have all the rank patches

I'm in NC too. Tuscarora Council here. Where abouts are you?

Unless it is part of the nights activity (like Healthy Snacks or cooking something), we don't do it.

Some parents don't go for Tigers because they have to be there with the kids. I also think there is a lot of uncertainty this year with the economy and stuff. Those would have been tigers will probably join as wolves and bears soon.

We're a small pack. Our committee meeting falls on the same day/time as our regular meetings. We meet at the same location. We have board games and movies and popcorn/kool-aid for the 6 or so kids that come with their parents. Some of the kids bring their ipads and gameboys. We don't have much of a problem.

We're a small pack. Our committee meeting falls on the same day/time as our regular meetings. We meet at the same location. We have board games and movies and popcorn/kool-aid for the 6 or so kids that come with their parents. Some of the kids bring their ipads and gameboys. We don't have much of a problem.

For frames, look at door casing and other trim. Even 1x2 furring strips. Use a plastic miter box and back saw (lowes had a saw and box kit for under $10). The 1x2 is like a dollar for an 8 foot piece.

For frames, look at door casing and other trim. Even 1x2 furring strips. Use a plastic miter box and back saw (lowes had a saw and box kit for under $10). The 1x2 is like a dollar for an 8 foot piece.

If link doesn't work, try searching Lowes.com for furring strips

Also, I love this web page and here is an easy and cheap project using a yard stick and clothes pins http://ana-white.com/2010/11/ruler-clip-art-rails.html

For frames, look at door casing and other trim. Even 1x2 furring strips. Use a plastic miter box and back saw (lowes had a saw and box kit for under $10). The 1x2 is like a dollar for an 8 foot piece.

Not really important, but I have my brother's belt with some of his skill awards. My Cub Scout son thinks it is cool.

I am wondering if I should get the award for my son. We just transferred Packs, other pack earned it (and he participated) but the new pack doesn't do summers (yet).